Sensory Processing Disorder...

After a nice vacation at Disneyland for the last week, we are all glad to be home. We had to postpone this vacation until last week. It was so much busier than we are use to. We did have a pretty good time all in all...

However, it was busier than it's ever been (when we've gone on vacation, that is) so it also gave us more insight into sensory processing, or sensory processing disorder I should say. Sensory processing or sensory integration, is the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses. It then turns the messages into the appropriate motor or behavioral response. Biting into food, riding on a ride, watching a movie or reading, in order to finish these things, you require proper processing sensation or sensory integration.

Disneyland is a great place for engaging all the senses. However, if you have a sense or senses that are under or over-reactive to sensory stimuli, this can be a problem.  Sensory Processing Disorder affects all types of people, not just those with autism. Though many with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) do have sensory issues of one or more senses. According to webmd.com, many children with autism or other developmental disabilities, often have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). "Children with sensory processing disorder cannot properly process sensory stimulation from the outside world."  We have known for a long time that the boys have sensory issues, but have only recently stumbled onto what it's called. Now, they will be referred for an assessment for SPD.

Some symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder include: constant motion or fatigue (or go between the two); issues with texture or feel of certain foods; cannot wear certain fabrics; over sensitive to odors, sounds or lights; jump, swing, spin excessively; etc. One of the first things we noticed with Daniel was that he could spin around for what seemed like forever, and never seemed to get dizzy. I have now learned that the reason for this is SPD.

During a "flapping" episode: 

After anxiety outburst - pressure/compression vests did the trick

SPD can be diagnosed by a physician, occupational or physical therapist. What I've found so far however, is many doctors who are not fully versed on SPD. We have been referred by many others to have an occupational therapist evaluate for diagnosis. It can be treated with sensory integration therapy which will focus on challenging a child's sensory input. The therapist will help the kiddo by assessing their needs, introducing stimuli and teaching him/her how to properly respond. Sensory integration therapy is believed to (possibly) help reduce other problem behavior, though it hasn't been any study done on this as of yet.

The world of autism is complicated enough, and as parents we seem to have to do most of the work in getting information on well, anything. Not that I'm complaining, well, I guess I kind of am, but (please indulge me for a moment) I love this comedian Jeff Foxworthy and he does this bit about "You might be a redneck if:" It makes me think there should be a checklist for us parents kinda like his bit:

Does your child act a certain way... (s)he might have autism.           Does your child have problems with certain materials.... (s)he might has Sensory Processing Problems
Does your child get more hyper than most other children... (s)he might have ADHD. 

The list of questions could go on forever, but I think you get what I'm trying to say. I wish I'd found out about SPD a long time ago, but when I mentioned the issues our boys have, it always came back to "autism".  There's definitely another blog on this topic, but for now, some great websites to learn more about SPD include:

         http://www.sensoryprocessing.com/          http://classes.kumc.edu/sah/resources/sensory_processing/learning_opportunities/concepts/sp_concepts_main.htm
http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html          http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/          http://www.sensoryprocessing.info/

That's why I am writing this blog, to hopefully put out more information on different topics dealing with autism, in one place.

From a mother's heart - I'd love feedback too. Any autism topic suggestions, comments or information that you think others might like to know. You can also check out https://www.facebook.com/AutismParentsUsa?fref=ts    (Facebook page for parents in the USA or other places too) I'm always looking for ways for us to all communicate about what we've learned.